Skechers: Is Meb’s Marathon Win a Game Changer?

BOSTON, MA - APRIL 21: Meb Keflezighi of the United States crosses the finish line to win the 118th Boston Marathon on April 21, 2014 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
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Skechers — and performance athletics? Not really the first thing that comes to mind. Often when I hear of the shoe brand, I suppress a snicker because I recall the all-too-recent $40-million settlement the sneaker company was forced to pay out after claiming their curved-bottom sneakers had booty-shaping benefits a la Kim Kardashian. However, the brand is gaining some serious positive attention — thanks to Boston Marathon winner Meb Keflezighi.

Rita Jeptoo of Kenya defended her women’s victory in this year’s marathon while wearing Nike Zoom Streak 3s — but it seems that Skechers is coming as the triumphant underdog in this endorsement story, inspiring innocent but totally smirk-worthy headlines like this gem from the Washington Post: “Skechers beats Nike in Boston Marathon’’. (BURN.)

And honestly, maybe it’s all on them. According to the Journal, Nike cut ties with Keflezighi in 2010 and in an interview last month, the runner told the publication, “It’s a business decision they have to make. But at the same time, there’s people that are employed by Nike that hopefully regret their decision.’’